Wire-bale-tie machine



7 Sheets-Sheet 1` 'Patented oct. 1s 1891.

WIRE BALB TIE MACHINE.

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W. A. LAIDLAW an E. M. GOWLBY.

(No Model.)

(No Model.) v 7 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. A.. LAIDLAW 8u E. M. COWLEY. WIRE BALB TIE MACHINE.

No. 461,348. Patented 001;. 13, 1891.

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(Enl Model.) 7 sheets-sheet 3.

W. A. LAIDLAW & E. M. COWLEY. -WIEE EALE TIE MACHINE.

WEE-Ew m0 Model.) I 7 sheetssheet 4.' W. A. LAIDLAW 8v E. M. COWLEY.-

WIRE BALB 'TIB MACHINE.

110.461,348. Patented Oct. 13,1891.

i Hmm (No Model.) -7 sheetssheet 5.

W. A. LAIDLAW 8v E; M. COWLBY. WIRE BALB TIB MA0H1NE.

110.461,348. Patented 001;. 13,1891.

@5w/j #By JVA/mgm RMV (No Model.) 7 sheets-sheen e. W. A. LAIDLAW 8E E. M. COWLEY. WIRE BALB TIE. MACHINE.

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Wfnesses/ f/ (N0 Model.) Isheets-Sheen 7. W. A. LAIDLAW 8; E. M. COWLYEY.

WIRE BALB TIB MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 13, 1891.

a.. wuumcron D c f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM A. LAIDLA\V AND EDVARD M. COIVLEY, OF CHEROKEE, KANSAS.

WIRE-BALE-TIE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,348, dated October 13, 1891.

Application iiled January 31, 1891. Serial No. 379,798. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it, known that we, WILLIAM A. LAIDLAW and EDWARD M. Cownnv, both of Cherokee, in the county of Crawford, in the State of Kansas, have invented certain new and use-l ful Improvements in Vire-BaleTie Machines,v of which the following is a full, clear, and eX` act. description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of t-his specification.

Our invention relates to an improved machine for making wire bale-ties; and our invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. v

Figure I is a side elevation of a portion of our improved device. Fig. II isa continuation of Fig. I, showing the remaining portion of our devicein elevation. Fig. III is a perspective of the follower and looping-head, showing the various parts in their correct position before the looping-head has been forced backward to its extreme limit,in order that the wire may be forced into the correct position in which the loop is formed. Fig. IV shows the position Of the follower and looping-head as the loop is about to be formed. Fig. V is an enlarged detail section showing hooks for catching the manufactured tiesV and `the means for casting the ties onto said hooks. Fig. VI is a detail perspective showing the operation, gearing, and rack for operating the follower, the followerbeing shown secured to the upper side of the rack. Fig. VIIis an venlarged detail perspective showing the friction device and means for operating the twister. Fig. VIII is a transverse section taken on line. VIII VIII of Fig. XIII. Fig. IX is an enlarged detail view of the bevel-gear and pinion for operating the twister. Fig. X is an enlarged detail plan view of the pulleys for guiding and retaining the wire on its Way to the looping-head. Fig. XI is an enlarged detail perspective View of the device for casting the ties from the twister. Fig. XII is an enlarged detail side elevation of the device for severing the wire after the tie has been formed. Fig. XIII is an enlarged detail plan view of the device for operating the looper. Fig. XIV is an enlarged detail plan view showing the posit-ion of the looper and tie after the loop has been formedpreparatory to forming the twist.

Referring to the drawings, l represents ver- A said rack meshing with a spur-gear G, located on one end -of a transverse shaft 7, said shaft being journaled to the frame, as shown at On the opposite endof the shaft 7 is an eccentricgear S, said eccentric-gear meshing with a toothed rack 9 on a pitman l0, one end of said pitman beingpivoted to a crank ll at a point 12, said crank 1l being adjustably secured to a spur-gear 13 by means of a bolt 14, working in slots 15 in certain of the spokes of said spur-gear 13. The gear 13 is rigidly secured to one end of a transverse shaft 16, which is journaled to the frame, as shown at 17.

18 represents a pinion rigidly secured to vone end of a shaft 19, said pinion meshing with the spur-gear I3, and said shaft 19 being journaled to the frame, as shown at 20.

2l represents a pulley rigidly secured to the shaft 19, as shown at 22, said pulley being connected by a belt 23 with a loose pulley 24, mounted on a shaft 25, said shaft 25 being journaled in the frame, as shown at 26.

27 represents a pulley rigidly secured to the shaft 25 and having abelt 28 thereon for driving the same. Said belt 28 may be connected with suitable driving mechanism, and the loose pulley 24 may be readily thrown into 'connection with the tight pulley 27 by any suitable shifting device, and the same be 0perated by friction with said pulley. The crank ll, connected with the spur-gear 13, is `made adjustable in order to shorten or lengthen the stroke of the pitman 10, and thereby vary the travel of the rack 5, in order to make a longer or shorter tie, as may be desired, the operation ofv which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

It is essential, in order to obtain the best results in the operation of our device as to quality of work performed, to reduce the speed of the follower at each end of the stroke of IOO the same. This is principally performed by the crank l1 on the spur 13, as a crank-motion always attains its minimum speed in passing the dead-centers and its maximum at center of travel. We further increase the speed of the follower at its center and diminish it at each end by the use of the eccentricgear 8. y

The rack 9 is held in engagement with the eccentric-gear 8 by means of a yoke 29, the upper end of which is secured to the retaining-piece 30, carrying anti-friction rollers 3l, the eccentric-gear 8, having collars 32 thereon,

which the yokes 29 partially surround, andagainst which the collars 32 bear, thus at all times holding the rack in close contact with said eccentric-gear.

33 represents the follower,which is rigidly secured to the upper side of the rack 5, said follower having a short portionof channeliron 34 secured thereto, said channel-iron passing on each side of the under portion of the horizontal frame 2, thus forming a guide for the upper edge of the follower.

35 represents a transverse shaft journaled in the follower. On one end of said shaft is a' beveled gear 36, said gear meshing into a beveled pinion 37 on one end of a twistingshaft 33, the twisting-shaft being journaled tobrackets 39secured to the follower 33. The free endof the twisting-shaft is slightly bent and flattened, as shownl at 40, and having near its point a pin or teat 4l. On the opposite end of the shaft 35 is a pinion 42, which meshes in a rack 43, said rack being secured in an oblong box 44, said box being secured rigidly to a bar 45, having extensions 46 47, which at times engage with friction-blocks 48 49 said friction-blocks being made in two parts and secured by bolts 50,V in order that the same may be adjusted, and thus increase or'diminish the friction. On the bar 45 is a bent portion 5l, which works in a groove 52 in the follower 33, and thus serves as a guide for said bar.

53 represents a bar secured at 54 to the follower 33, the said bar having downwardlyextending legs 55 56, which at times come in contact with the box 44, as the follower 33 is operated, thus operating the bar 53, sliding with the follower, and causing the rack 43 to operate the pinion 42, and thus operate the twisting-rod 38, the same being more fully exv plained farther on.

57 represents the wire which is uncoiled from a reel located at any desired point, the wire first passing through a series of vertical zigzag rollers 58, which straighten the wire to some extent. These rollers are journaled to bars 59, said bars being suitably secured to a supporting device, the Wire then passing between additional straightening-rollers 60, arranged the same as the rollers 58which'rotate in a horizontal instead of a vertical plane, the rollers 60 being secured to an adjustable bar 61, which may be adjusted by set-screws 6,2. The wire then passes between horizontal looping-head 75.

rollers 63 64, the roller 63 being pivoted at 65 to a bar 66, which is secured to the frame, as shown at 67, said bar being rigid. VThe roller 64 is pivoted at 68 to a bent arm 69, pivoted to the bar 66 at 70, and connected at its upper end, as shown at 7l, with the outer end of the bar 66 by a coil-spring 72, said spring at all times holding the arm 69 in such a position that the pulley 64 willpress the wire 57 against the pulley 63. The object in said pulleys is to form a guide for the wire and at the same time prevent the wire from springing backward after the tie has been severed bymeans described later on. It will readily be seen that owing to the construction and position of said pulleysif the wire were to press against them backwardly the pulley 64 would force the wireagainst the pulley 63 and prevent the same from traveling backward and kinking or buckling. The wire after passing between said pulleys passes through a guiding-block 73, suitably secured to the frame, and then through a guiding-block 74 on ,the rlhe guidingblock 74 is adjustably secured to ablock 7G on the head 75 by means of a bolt 77, which works in a lslot 78, thereby permitting the guiding-block 74 to be adjusted lengthwisethe wire thence passing between an anvil 79 ,and a movable block 80, and extending out a sucient distance, as shown in Fig. IV, so that the end of the wire 8l has sufficient length to be bent backward against the anvil 79, a loop being thereby formed in the wire. The follower 33 is forced bythe spur-gear 6 and rack 5 backward until the same comes in contact with the looping-head 75, as shown in Figs. III and IV, at which time the end .40 of the twistingrod 38 is in the position shown in Fig. IV, with the-end 8l of the wire 57 extending beyond the teat-4ll a sufficient distance, so that the end 8l may be bent around said teat against theauvil 79, as shown in Fig. XIV, to form a loop 82 preparatory to being twisted. As the head 75 is forced back into the position shown in Fig. IV by the follower 33, an` arm 83, connected with a sliding bracket 84, which is adjustably secured to the frame 2 by means of slots 85 and set-screws 86, cornes in contact with the spring-catch y87,'which is in engagementwith a lug 88, located near the upper end I of a vertical shaft 89, and forces said spring-catch out of engagement with said lug 88 and permits the shaft 89 to partially rotate from the position shown in Figs. III and IV to the position shown in Figs. XIII and XIV. Said shaft 89 is rotated by the following `means: 90 represents a4 gear on said shaft,

with which meshes a rack 91, having 4bearing in a frame 92, whichis secured to the head 75, said fra-me 92 having portions 93 94, through which a rod 95 on said rack passes, there being a coil-spring 96, surrounding said portion.95, having jam-nuts 97 thereon for adjusting the tension of said spring. rlhus, when the catch 87 is forced out of engagement with the lug 88 on the shaft 89 the IOO IIO

spring 96 on the rod 95, which is secured to the rack 91,will cause said rack to move from the position shown in Fig. III to the position shown in Fig. XIII, thereby partially rotating said shaft 89. As said shaft89 is partially rotated, a crank or arm 97 on the lower end of Said shaft Vcarrying a collar 98, (between which and the body of the arm is a groove 99,) will travel from the position shown in Fig. IVto the position shown in Figs. XIII and XIV, bending the end 81 of the wire around the teat 41 on the twisting-rod 38 and clamping the end of the wire against the body of the wire andthe anvil 79,as shown'in Fig.

XIV, holding the same securely until the.

twisting device has twisted the end and body of the wire together, and thereby formed a permanent loop, the end of the wirebeing held and guided in the groove 99 of the arm 97. After said loop has been formed the inotion of the follower 33 is reversed by the gearing already described, the twisting-rod 38 drawing the wire along by the loop still being in contact with the teat 41, and as said follower travels forward the bar 47, which is at this time in engagement with the frictionblock 49, which is located at the rear end of the machine, is held by said friction-blocks until the follower 33 travels a sufficient distance for the leg 56 on .the bar 53 to come in contact with the box 44, thus moving the rack 43 from the position shown in the dotted lines, Fig; VII, t-o the position shown in the full lines' in said figure, and as said rack moves the pinion 42 is operated, thus operating the bevel-gear 36, which in turn operates the bevel-gear 37, as the twisting-rod 38 rotates said shaft, forming a twist in the wire, the end portion of the wire being twisted around the body and leaving a loop where the same passes over the teat 41. After the twist has been formed the leg 56 will come in contact with the box 44, carrying the bar 45 along with the head to the opposite end of the machine, where the end 46 of said bar comes in contact with the friction-blocks 48. located at the opposite end. As said twist is being' made, the follower 33 is moving` forward and head is following it up, a bar 101, being moved at the samerate of speed, being propelled'by a friction device attached to the follower. When the head 75 has traveled forward to its eXtreme limit, the bar 101 will be stopped by a rack 100, secured to the same by a tongue-and-groove connection (see Fig. VIII) coming in contact with the gear on said shaft 89, the friction device sliding on said bar 101 until the end of said friction device comes in contact with an adjustable collar 200 on said bar 101 and positively moving said bar forward, the rack at this time rotating the gear 90 and forcing it and the looper 97 into the position shown in Fig. IV, the catch 87 at this time engaging the lug 88 on the shaft S9 and holding the same in said position, said catch being held normally in engagement with the said lug by in a sliding frame 126.

said rod and spring being suitably supported and connected with the head 75, the springcatch 87 being pivoted at 104 to thehead 75. The rack 100 works loosely by its tongue-andgroove attachment in the rod 101, it having a space 105, which gives the same a certain degree of latitude. As the follower 33 travels toward the forward end, a projection 106 on the rod 101 comes in .Contact with said rack 100 and causes it to partially rotate said gear 90. As said rod 101 still continuesito travel forward, a projection 107 thereon comes in contact with a toggle 108, (see Fig. II'I,) pivoted at 109 to the head 75 and held normally in the position shown in Fig.`III by spring 110which is connected with the toggle at v111,

112 representing a stop on the upper endof the toggle which comes in' contact with va plate 113, which ,is secured to Vthe head 75,

said stop preventing the spring 110 from drawing the toggle too far backward. The lower end of the toggle y108 is pivoted to the knife 114, as shown at 115, said knife passing through an opening 116 in the block 74, said knife being located directly over the wire as it is being drawn through. As the rod 101 is drawn forward by the follower and at the time that the wire has been drawn out a suf.

ticientdistance to make the desired length of tie, the projection 107 comes incontact with the toggle 108, forcing the same from the position shown in Fig. III to the position shown in Fig. I, and as the knife is forced downward the wire is severed. The rod 101 is operated by a two-part friction-block 117, which is secured to the follower 33 by an angle-bar 118, through which the rod 101 passes, said friction-block 117 being connected at one of its ends by bolts 119, on which are placed coil-springs 120, in order to adjust said blocks and create a greater or less amount of friction. i

the movable guide l 21, said guideby coming in contact with post 1, limits the backward movement of rod 101, to which point it is forced by the friction-block 117 as the follower travels backward, said guide also acting to-keep rod 101 from turning, thus keeping rack 100 square with gear 90. As the follower 33 travels forward, an angle-bar 122, secured thereto, comes in contact with an adjustable lug 123, which is secured by a bolt 124, working in a slot 125,

l As the bar 122 strikes the lug 123,the frame 126 is forced forward, its forward end coming in contact with a lever 127 and forcing it from the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. II, to theposition shown in full lines in said figure, thus partially ro- IOC IIO

. wires into the hooks.

shown at 133, the opposite end of said rope being connected at 134 with one end of acoilspring 135, and the opposite end of said spring being connected at 136 to supporting-frame. When the follower again travels backward, the spring 136% draws the frame 126 back to its normal position, thus releasing the lever 127, which again assumes the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. II, the frame being drawn down bythe rope 132, which is again wound on the rod 128 at that end by the action of the spring 135. 'Iherod 12S is suitably journaled to the supporting-frame, as shown at 137. Theobject in partially rotating` the .rod

128 is to move a series of fingers 138 from the the position shown in the full lines in said figure and in Figs.l and II, saidiingers passing in behind the wire, and as the. same is severed from the body of the wire and the tie formed the tie is cast from the twisting-rod onto-a series ofhooks 130, from whence they can be formed into bundles ready for the market.

The fingers 138 are pivoted at 140 to heads 141, which in turn are secured to the rod128 in such a position that the rods or fingers 138 will reciprocate in an inclined plane, passing between the points and shanks of the hooks 130, in order that the fingers may guide the At the time the ties are cast from the twisting-rod the same will be in the, position shown in Fig. II. As it is necessary that it should receive a half-turn in order to be in the correct position for a new loop to be formed or in the position shown in Fig. IV, this half-turn is performed by the friction-block 43 engaging the end 46 of the bar 45 and holding said bar as the follower 33 travels backward until the rack 43 lhas traveled from the position shown in the full lines, Fig. VII, to the position shown in the dotted lines in said figure, thereby rotating the pinion 42 and the twisting-shaft through the connections heretofore described.

142 represents a track on which the lower portion of the head travels, the upper portion traveling in a groove 143 in the frame 2.

As the loop is formed, it is necessary that the guiding-block be depressed in order that the end of the wire may be forced around against the anvil v79, said block being de-A pressed by the lever 144, pivoted at 145, said block having a stem 146, secured to its under side, and said stem being pivoted to the lever 144, as shown at 147.

148 represents a bevel-shoe on one end of the lever 144, said shoe coming in contact with a lug 149, as the head 75 is forced backward, thereby forcing the block 80 downward from the position shown in Fig. III to the position shown in Fig. IV, permitting the wire to be bent around into a loop, as heretofore described. The lever 144 is held in its normal position, as shown in Fig. III, by a spring 150, connected with the shoe 148 at one of its ends, as shown at 151, and having its opposite end connected with the head 75, as shown at 152. The head 75 is held normally in its position (see Fig. I) by means of a spring 153, which forces said head into the position shown in Fig. I after it-has been released by the follower. The spring 153 is located on a rod 154, said rod being connected at 155 to the head 75 and having its rear end pass through a bracket 156, whereby when said head75 is forced backward said rod may be permitted to slide in said bracket andthe spring compressed ready to force the head back into its normal position as soon as the same has been .released by the follower. The rea-r end of the rod 101, which supports the rack 100, is

supported by a bracket 157, which is con` nected with the head 75.

Owing to the frictional'connection of thev rod 101 with the-follower 33, it will be seen that when the rod 101 .has traveled to its limit in eitherdirection the follower may still travel farther without affecting said rod, as

the block 117 will slide thereon. We claim as our inventionf- 1. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a suitable support, a movable follower located in said support, awire-twisting device secured to said follower, and' means for reciprocating said follower for the purpose of manufacturing bale-ties, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. -In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower working in a suitable support, means for operating the saine, a twisting device connected with said follower, a projection on said twisting device, around which the wire loop is formed, and means for rotating said twisting device,.substantiall y as described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a baletie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower working in a suitable support, means for reciprocating said follower, a twisting device connected with said follower, a projection on said twisting device, around which the wire loop is formed, means for forming the wire loop, and means for rotating said twisting device, thereby forming an eye in the bale-tie, su bstantially asfset forth.

4. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower working in a suitable support, means for reciprocating the sain e, a twisting-shaft 3S, having a teat or projection 41 thereon, around which the wi re loop is formed, a bevel-gear 37 on said twistingshaft, a bevel-gear 36, meshing with said gear 37, and means for rotating said gear 36, 4substantially as set forth.

5. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft 38, journaled in said follower, a teat 41 on said twisting-shaft, around which the wire loop is formed, a bevelgear 37 on said shaft, a bevelgear 36, meshing with the gear 37, said gear 36 being located on one end of a shaft 35,jour naled in the follower, a pinion 42 being located on the opposite end of said shaft, and means for rotating the pinion 42, and thus,

IOO

ICS

IIO

' through the connections described, rotating the twisting-shaft 38, substantiallyas set forth.

6. Ina bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft Journaled thereto, a teat 41 on said shaft, around which a wire loop is formed, a bevelgear 37 on said shaft, a gear 36, meshing with said bevel-gear, a shaft 35, to which said bevel-` gear 36 is attached, a pinion 42 on the shaft 35, a rack4 43, meshing with the pinion 42, a box 44, in which said rack is located, a bar 45, connected with the box 44, and suitable means for retarding at times the travel of the bar 45,

substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of areciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft 38, journaled thereto, suitable gear for rotating said twistin g-shaf t, a pinion 42, having connec-A tion with said gear, a rack 43 for operating the pinion 42, a bar 45, supporting said rack head 75, a gear 90 on said shaft, and rack 91, l

43, a projection 51 on said bar working in a slot 52 in the follower, and a bar 53, secured to said follower,'having legs 55 56, adjustable friction-blocks 48 49 for engaging and holding the bar 45, whereby the legs 55 56 maybe` at times thrown into contact with the box 44, and by moving the same cause the rack 43 to operate the pinion 42, and thus operate the. twisting-shaft, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft journaled thereto, a pin or teat 41 on said shaft, around `which the wire loop is formed, a crank 97 for forming said loop, and means for partially rotatin g said crank, substantially as set forth.

9. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft journaled thereto, a teat 41 on said shaft, a crank 97 for forming a wire loop around said teat, a shaft 89, supporting said crank, a gear 90 on said shaft, a rack 91 in connection with said gear, and means for reciprocating said rack, and thus partially rotating the. crank 97, thereby forming a wire loop around the teat 41, substantially as described.

10. The combination of a reciprocating fol` lower, a twisting-shaft secured thereto, a teat 41 on said shaft, a shaft S9, journaled in a meshing with said gear, and a spring in connection with said rack for reciprocating the same, and thus operating the gear 90, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a movable head 75, a twisting-shaft journaled to the follower, a pin 41 onl said shaft, avertical shaft S9, pivoted to the head 75, a'gear 90 on said shaft, a rack 91, meshing with said gear for operating the same, a crank 97 on the shaft 8.9, a collar 98, situated beneath said crank, whereby a space 99 is formed between the collar and said crank, into which the end of a wire 81 passes as said crank is partially rotated, and a loop 'formed by bendving the end of the wire around against the body of the same,substantially as described, and for the purpose setforth` 12. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft journaled thereto, a pin on said shaft, and acrank 97 for bending a portion of wire around said pin and clamping the same against the anvil 79 and holding it in said position until the twisting-shaft has been rotated and a loop thereby formed in the wire, substantially as set forth.

' 13. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a 'twisting-shaft journaled thereto, a projection on said twisting-shaft, around which a portion of wire may be bent to form a loop, a head 75, a shaft 89,journaled in said head, a gear 90 on said shaft, a crank 97, located at the lower end of said shaft, a rack 91, meshing with the gear 90 for rot-ating said shaft, means for reciprocating said rack, and a lug 88 on the shaft 89, and a pivoted springcatch 87 for engaging theglug 38 and at times holding the shaft 89 and preventing it from rotating, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting-shaft journaled thereto, a teat 41 on said shaft, a movable head 75, a shaft 89, journaled thereto, a wire-bending crank 97 on said shaft, a gear 90 on said shaft,

a rack 100, meshing with the gear 90, and a rod 101, having connection with the rack 100, guide 121, and with the reciprocating follower,

substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of a reciprocating follower, a rod 101, connected therewith by friction-block 117, adjustable collar 200 on said rod, a rack 100, sliding in a space 105 in the rod`l01, said rack being connected with said rod by a tongue and groove, a gear 90, with which said rack meshes, the teat 41, and looping mechanism operated by said gear 90 to form a wire loop, substantially as described.

16. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a movable head 75, a toggle 108', connected to the head 75, a knife located on the lower end ot' said toggle, a guiding-block adjacent to said knife and through which the wire passes, and means in connection with the reciprocating follower for depressing said knife in order to sever the wire, substantially as described.

17. The combination of a reciprocating follower, frictional blocks 117` secured thereto, a rod 101, working in said friction-blocks, a projection 107 on said rod, a toggle 108,10- cated on a movable head 75,a spring 110, and a stop 112 on said toggle for holding the same in a bent condition, a knife 114 on the lower end of said toggle, a guiding-block through which the wire passes, and means for lreci procating the follower and forcing the end 107 of the rod 101 against the toggle, thereby strai ght- IOO IIC

wire is fed, and a spring 153 for forcing said n l Ix .-1.

eni-ng the same and forcing the knife downward, thereby severing the wire, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

18. The combination of the movable head 75, an adjustable guide 74, secured thereto, an adjustable block 80, pivoted to the head, the anvil 79, the twister, the looper, and means for moving the block 80 in a vertical direction out of the way of the looper, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

19. The combination of the movable head 75, adjustable guiding-block 74, vert-ical moving guide-block 80, lever 144, pivoted to the head, said lever having a bevel-shoe 148, a

J projection 149 for raising the beveled end of the lever 144 upward, and thus depressing the guiding-block 80, and a spring 150 for depressing the beveled end of the lever after the same is out of engagment with the lug 149 and raising the guiding-block 8O back to its normal position, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

20. The'combination of a reciprocating follower carrying a twisting device, a teat 41 on said twisting device, a movable head 75, a

shaft 89, journaled to said head, a looping-4 crank 97 on said shaft, a lug 88 on said shaft, a spring-catch 87, which at times engages the lug 88, an adjustable bracket 84, and a projection 83 on said adjustable bracket, said projection at times coming in contact with the outer end of the catch 87 and forcing the same outward, thus releasing the lug 88 and shaft 89 and permitting the looping-crank on the lower end of said shaft to partially rotate in order to form a loop, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

21. The combination of a reciprocating followerya twisting device in connection therewith, a movable head 75, through which a head forward as the follower travels forward, substantially as described.

22. The combination of a beam 3 and frame 2, a reciprocating follower traveling between the same, the twisting mechanism carried by said follower, a movable head 75, traveling on a track 142, secured to the beam 3, and in a slot 143 in the frame 2 and having means for holding the wire while being twisted, and a spring 153 for forcing the head 75 forward, substantially as described.

23. In a bale-tie machine, the combination of the wire-straightening pulleys 58 60, pulleys 63 64, between which the wire travels, and means for holding said pulleys in close en- 1 gagement with said wire,fsubstantially as set forth. p

24. vThe combination of thehead 75, having a guiding-block 74,v through which the wire passes, a guiding-block 73, pulleys 63 64, an arm 66, to which said pulley 63.is journaled, a movable arm 69, to which the pulley 64 is j-ournaled, and a spring 72, connecting the arms 66 69, for holding the said pulleys in close contact with the wire, substantially as set forth.

25. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting device in'connection therewith, means for looping wire over the end of said twisting device, fingers 138, adapted to project upwardvunder the wire for cast-ing the same from the twisting device, hooks for catching the wire, and means for raising and lowering said fingers, said fingers being arranged to reciprocate in a plane passing between the points and shanks of the hooks, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

26. The combination of a reciprocating follower 33, rod 128, and fingers 138, having pivotal connection with said rod, a lever 127 connected byk a rope'with said rod 128, and means in connection with said follower for operating said lever, thus operating the rod 1 28, and fingers 138 for the purpose of casting the bale-tie from its connection with the follower, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

27. The combination of the follower 33, twisting devicein connection therewith, a teat 41 on said twisting device, around which a wire loop is formed, a rod 128, fingers 138, having pivotal connection with the rod 128, alever 127, rope 132, connecting the lever with the rod 128, a spring 135, connecting said rope with the frame 1, frame 126, carrying' an adjustable lug 123, an angle-bar 122 on the follower which comes in contact with the lug 123,forc ing the same forward and operating a lever 127, and a spring 1365, in connection with the beam 3 and frame 126, for forcing the same backward, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

28. The combination of a reciprocating follower, a twisting device, a rack 5, to which said follower is connected,-a gear-wheel for operating said rack, the rack 9 for operating said gear-wheel, and an adjustable crank for operating the rack 9, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination of a reciprocating follower 33, a wire-twisting device in connection therewith, a rack 5, to which said follower is attached, a spur-gear 6 for operatin g said rack, and an eccentric-gear 8, having suitable connection therewith for operatin g the gear 6 and rack 5, substantially as set forth).

30. The combination of the follower 33, rack to which the same is secured, spur-gear 6 for operating said rack, an eccentric-gear 8 for operating the spur-gear and pitman 10, and

a rack 9 on said pitman for operating the eccentric-gear 8, substantially as set forth.

31. The combination of the reciprocating follower, twisting device in connection therewith, a rack 5, on which the follower is mounted, a spur-gear G, shaft 7, eccentric-gear 8, mounted on shaft 7, eccentric collars 32 in connection with said gear, a yoke 29, having a portion 30, friction-rollers 31A in connection with said yoke, a pitman 10, having a rack 9, meshing with the eccentric-gear 8, and means for operating said pitman, in order to recip- IOO IIO

rocate the rack 5, substantially as set forth, `1l in connection With said spur-gear 13, toV and for the purpose described. which the outer end of the-pitman 10 is piv- 32. In a bale-tie machine, the combination oted, substantially as described, aud for the of a reciprocating follower, a rack 5, to which purpose set forth. 5 the same is attached, a spur-gear 6, meshing With said rack, a shaft 7, on which the spui- WILLIAM A. LAIDLA/V. gear 6 is mounted, an eccentric-gear 8, a pit- EDWARD M. COVLEY. man I0, having a rack 9 in connection With Vitnesses:

the eccentric-gear 8, a spur-gear 13, means for A. C. SPRAGUE,

to operating the same, and an adjustable crank JOHN E. PENDLETON. 

